And just like that, it’s my blog’s 4th birthday. I haven’t been able to think of anything to do to celebrate, aside from putting “Four more years!” as my subtitle, so there you go. Tonight I’ll probably go to Publix and get myself one of their yellow cakes with chocolate icing and a cherry on top. Yes, a whole cake. A slice wouldn’t do, because I almost always get one whenever I go to Publix anyway, to reward myself for going grocery shopping.
I don’t know what to write, either. So I guess this kind of sucks as a “momentous blogging anniversary” post. On his blog’s 3rd birthday (I waffle between using “birthday” and “anniversary;” both work), Patrick wrote a post about what he’d learned in three years of blogging. I feel like I should do someting similar, but I don’t know what to say. Maybe that means I haven’t learned anything.
Actually, I’ve learned plenty; I just don’t know how to describe it without boring everyone, and I really don’t have much time right now anyway. Oh! I know what, I’ll quote from my ill-fated essay submission for She Is Such A Geek.
I’ve been blogging foralmostfour years now, and at this point I’ve embraced it as a significant part of who I am. I feel confident enough now to say, “fuck that noise” to anyone who would scoff at it. There are still plenty of people out there who view blogging as an isolating activity, one that hinders the ability to form healthy relationships in real life. But I’ve found the polar opposite to be true.Immersing myself in the world of blogging has exposed me to ideas and experiences I never would’ve had otherwise, and has helped me grow as a writer and a person. Blogging encourages introspection, and as such, has led me to think more carefully about what I believe and why. It has forced me to examine the reasons behind my actions and thoughts. It has helped me to strengthen my viewpoints and gain the confidence to explain and defend them with intelligence and grace. I believe this process to be constructive for others, as well - whether readers relate to or disagree with what’s written, the dialogue is half the point. Blogs make it possible for all us Average Janes to tell our personal stories and connect those experiences to issues on a larger scale.
And let’s not forget, without this blog I never would’ve met Rusty, or the trivia crew, or gotten back in touch with Dipika and Dacia, or co-founded the Georgia Podcast Network, or… the list goes on and on!
Obligatory observation of change: When I started this blog, I was a senior in college and married. A lot can change in four years!
Commence confetti, balloons, and a stripper popping out of a cake.
Update: Pictures! Hell yes, I got my cake. (Unfortunately I didn’t think to buy candles to put on it; oh well.) And just as I described earlier, it had a cherry on top, in true Publix bakery fashion.
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12 Responses to "Four is a fun age"
Looks like my 4-year blogiversary came and went 2 months or so ago.
Great, another thing to add to my long list of “things to blog about when I get the time”.
And it looks like I called it a “journal” at the time, probably because A) it was hosted on the obscure site Easyjournal and B) it actually was a journal at the time. (Commence “blog” vs. “journal” vs. “they are all blogs” debate.)
Awww… how sad that you missed your anniversary. I hope your blog will forgive you.
Funny, you wrote about receiving a late delivery from Papa John’s, and that was when Chris was working at Papa John’s. Surely he would never have been responsible for a late delivery, though, since he was basically the only one working there who wasn’t high all the time.
…and you did!
Eh, my blog’s probably too distraught over my serious neglect over the last month or two to even care about the anniversary at this point.
If I ever emerge from today’s clusterfuck at work, I’ll help you Photoshop a “Four More Years” banner/logo when I get home.
Holy shit, Rusty, that link from photoshop is fantastic. I’m bookmarking it in case I ever need an example of semi-creepy, whining legalese.
happy bday
Happy Bloggy Birthday!
Happy Blog Birthday. I love your posts.
Trying to steal my thunder, M@ber.
Never! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Congratulations. My four year blogging anniversary is coming up next week.